Letter to the Presidents of the European Academies of Science

In 2001, Professor Youri Bandajevsky, the Belarus anatomo-pathologist and Rector of the Gomel Institute of Medicine was brought before a military tribunal accused of corruption and sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment. This verdict followed, on the one hand, a report that he submitted in his quality as government expert in which he denounced the misuse of financial aid intended for Chernobyl victims and, on the other, his publications concerning the health consequences of low dose Cs137.

Bandajevksy was adopted as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International[i] and received support from a considerable number of scientists, politicians and public figures[ii]. Although his health has been seriously undermined[iii], he has managed to come through the harsh conditions of his incarceration and even maintain a certain level of scientific activity; with the help of Professor Fernex, (Emeritus Professor of the University of Basle) he has had work published[iv] in the journals "Swiss medical Weekly" and "Cardinale".

In August, 2004 his incarceration was deemed arbitrary by the UNO "Arbitrary detention working group". After several amnesties and having completed a part of his prison sentence, Professor Bandajevsky is now in "relegation" and should have been released on parole on January 6, 2005.

We have just learnt that his release has been refused. This refusal stems from the fact that, from the start, he has always refused to acknowledge that he is in any way guilty. This perversion of justice and this relentless harassment against a humanist scientist, the youngest professor in the history of the Soviet Union, laureate of 5 international awards whose life has been devoted to relieving the sufferings of the Chernobyl victims is intolerable.

It is for these reasons that we are asking a number of European Scientific Academies to intercede and come to his defence by showing their solidarity with their unjustly persecuted colleague. We ask you to consider the possibility of addressing a united, solemn appeal to the President of Belarus[v], the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Health pressing them to reinstate Professor Bandajevsky to his full rights as citizen and scientist.

We believe that your authority could weigh heavily in the attempt to find an acceptable solution.

We thank you for any action that you might wish to undertake in aid of Professor Bandajevsky and would be extremely grateful if you would keep us informed.

For Amnesty International , Carine Hahn

For Enfants de Tchernobyl Belarus, Solange Fernex

Maryvonne David-Jougneau, Comité Bandajevsky